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DOVER, Tenn. — After 10 months on the job, it might be difficult to think of Tourism Commissioner Kevin Triplett as being the new commissioners. But he's constantly seeing, learning and experiencing new things.
Triplett visited Stewart and Houston counties on Feb. 22 as part of his effort to learn more about what the state’s 95 counties have to offer tourists.

“I’ve not been surprised by anything I’ve seen in the last 10 months,” he said after touring Stewart County sights. “But I’ve been amazed every day I’ve gone out. It is incredible.”

The Department of Tourist Development commissioner was impressed by what he saw the bi-county area, as well as what he learned and experienced.

“You have it all here, but to have as much history and as much scenic beauty in one centralized area is pretty incredible,” he said. “We have places (in the state) that have all five pillars (music, history, scenic beauty, things to do and family), but they have a whole lot of one and a little bit of another.
“The river and the Civil War history, and not just Civil War history – the pertinent Civil War history. I mean the general Lincoln spent three years looking for made his reputation right here. Lincoln went through more generals than I go through socks – he was looking for the one that would handle the war the way he wanted. And that man earned his reputation right here. That’s significant.”
And Triplett knows a bit about significant after serving as vice president of public affairs for Bristol Motor Speedway and working in a similar roles with NASCAR before joining Gov. Bill Haslam’s cabinet.

Global visitors

While acknowledging that 38 percent of travelers to various Tennessee attractions are from within the state, Triplett said European travelers often visit.

“The global visitor is a very knowledgeable in American history and American music,” he said “In fact, you better have your facts straight or they will correct you.”
And it’s not a weekend trip for overseas tourist, who often stay for several weeks.
“That’s why we are trying to connect with so many of our assets to try and get them to stay more days,” he said. “And they don’t pay attention to state lines. So when they come over here, they will travel all across the south. We just want them to spend more time in Tennessee.”
Tennessee has an advantage over some other states because of its connection with foreign travelers.
“There are three entities in this state that you go globally and you only need one name -- Dolly, Elvis, Jack,” he said referring to Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley and Jack Daniels.

These days, the American tourist consists of baby-boomers, “who are retiring and want to get out and do things they been waiting years to do;” people under 35 who have waited longer to get married and maybe no kids in household. Then, there are the families with children who visit theme parks, historical site and enjoy camping because “they do it as a family,” Triplett said.

And more than ever, folks want to do and experience things once they reach their destinations.
“Depending on their length of stay, they are looking for experiences,” Triplett said. “They want to see thing, but there’s an element -- especially the 35 and under – who want to do things. What can I do?
“Then there’s what we call walkable tourism, especially older tour groups where things are located in a confined area where there’s a place to eat and two or three shops and they can get around and get back on the bus.”

Tourism economics

Promoting things to see and do in the Volunteer State isn’t just about Southern Hospitality, it’s business.
Both Stewart and Houston counties are part of the state’s Tennessee River Trail and the Screaming Eagle Trail, which markets them and neighboring counties nationally and globally. Additionally, the individual counties have been working to cultivate tourism as an economic engine that will provide much-needed revenue for the counties.
Triplett said during his travels, he was in a county similar to Stewart and the topic of tourism’s economic impact came up.
“Every household in this county pays $301 less in property taxes because of tourism in this county,” he told the group, citing a for University of Tennessee economics professor’s study. “You don’t necessarily see it on a day-to-day basis like you do people walking in and out of a factory. It’s more kinda under the radar.”
And to illustrate the point that tourism is an industry in the state, he noted that Nashville currently has about 30 cranes across the skyline. “They’re not building offices, they’re building hotels.”
A big reason for the growth is the size of the state with completely different regions from one end to the other.
“We don’t look at the diversity of our state as a challenge, we look at it as an asset because there are so many different things to do,” Triplett said.
He mentioned a story compiled by a travel group that he read recently, which headlined for readers: Five state you have to visit before Memorial Day.
“Tennessee was among the five,” he said. “But of the five, we were the only state that didn’t have a beach. And that was because of all the other stuff we have.”
Much like the effort to have Civil War markers in all 95 counties, Triplett said the Department of Tourist Development is working on a music trail that would connect with the various scenic and heritage trails across the state, including each of its counties.
“Every form of music all use the same notes, they just play them differently,” he said.Mark Hicks can be reached at 931-212-7626 or on Twitter: @markhicksleaf.

Houston County Mayor George Clark, left, explains the county's development of Danville Park to state Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett. The project ties into the state's Tennessee River Trail, which is helping finance the development.(Photo: Contributed photo/Angie Neilson)